Mulva Family Foundation Contributes $75 Million to Fund Patient Care and Research in Neuroscience at UT Austin, Melanoma and Prostate Cancer at MD Anderson

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December 14, 2016

AUSTIN, Texas — James and Miriam Mulva and the Mulva Family Foundation have donated $50 million to advance neuroscience at The University of Texas at Austin and another $25 million for cancer research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The total $75 million gift to the two UT institutions will advance health care in Texas and globally.

“We are pleased to establish a new and innovative neurology clinic combining UT Austin’s state-of-the-art research with advanced clinical operations for these widespread and difficult diseases that impact so many people and families,” said Jim and Miriam Mulva. “Furthermore, we have a passion and commitment to help MD Anderson — the premier cancer center in the world — treat and ultimately eradicate cancer.”

The $50 million grant creates the Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences, which will be located at the Dell Medical School at UT Austin. The Mulva Clinic will underwrite neuroscience patient care, research and clinical operations, with a special emphasis initially on Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and bipolar disorder.

“I deeply appreciate the Mulva family’s continual support of the university and especially this transformational gift for the advancement of neurosciences across many disciplines at UT Austin,” said Gregory L. Fenves, president of UT Austin. “Their generous investment to form the Mulva Clinic will enable the Dell Medical School to expand dramatically innovative clinical services for patients deeply affected by neurological disorders while also pursuing our vision for reshaping value-based health care and overall population health.”

The $25 million grant supports MD Anderson’s efforts in melanoma and prostate cancer under the direction of Patrick Hwu, M.D., chair of Melanoma Medical Oncology Department; and Christopher Logothetis, M.D., chair of Genitourinary Medical Oncology Department. Both melanoma and prostate cancer are diseases included in MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program, which is a goal-oriented and comprehensive effort that launched in 2012 to significantly reduce cancer deaths and transform care. The gift, to be divided equally, is designed to accelerate the conquest of these two aggressive cancers and change the standard of care for patients around the world.

“This transformational gift is a reflection of the Mulva family’s extraordinary generosity and dedication to advancing the fight to end two of our most menacing foes — melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer; and prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men,” said Ronald A. DePinho, M.D., president of MD Anderson. “We are profoundly grateful for the Mulva Family Foundation’s remarkable support of MD Anderson’s mission. Together, we will change the statistics and create new hope for patients and their loved ones facing the challenges of cancer.”

Jim Mulva is past chairman and CEO of ConocoPhillips, a graduate of UT Austin and chair of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors. Miriam Mulva is a graduate of St. Norbert College near Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Mulvas are Texas residents and split their time between Austin and their hometown of Green Bay.

The Mulva Family Foundation has been a consistent supporter of UT Austin and MD Anderson. Medicine, education, youth and the Catholic Church are the primary initiatives of the foundation. The Mulva Family Foundation has been a consistent supporter of UT Austin and MD Anderson. Medicine, education, youth and the Catholic Church are the primary initiatives of the foundation. The family’s substantial donations to the university include a multiyear pledges of $40 million to support the McCombs School of Business and $20 million to support the Cockrell School of Engineering, as well as $15 million in 2010 to help build the new Liberal Arts Building. They have given more than $5.6 million to MD Anderson. The Miriam and Jim Mulva Conference Center at MD Anderson is named in recognition of a $5 million contribution to the Miriam and Jim Mulva Fund for Melanoma Research.

“Once again, Jim and Miriam Mulva have made an extraordinary investment in The University of Texas that will enable UT Austin to build a world-class clinical care program for the treatment of neurological disorders and UT MD Anderson to accelerate discoveries in cancer research,” said UT System Chancellor William H. McRaven. “The Mulvas’ generosity is destined to bring great promise and hope to families who experience the devastating effects of these diseases, and The University of Texas System is eternally grateful to the Mulvas for entrusting us with their vision.”

The Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences will grow alongside the Dell Medical School, the first new medical school to be created on a top-tier, Association of American Universities-member research campus in about 50 years. Dell Med Dean Clay Johnston, himself a neurologist, said the clinic will open a new range of services and treatments to the people of Central Texas — including low-income and uninsured patients — and reinforce the school’s transformational work.

“I have spent many years caring for people with neurological and psychiatric diseases and seen the great impact they have on individuals and their families. The Mulva Clinic will make a real difference addressing these devastating health issues that have afflicted far too many people,” Johnston said. “The gift allows us to launch on a trajectory to become a world-class center for the treatment and study of these diseases, pulling together great strengths that already exist across the university and in the community. We’re looking forward to some amazing collaborations.”

Story originally published in UT News. For more information, contact: Stephen Scheibal, Dell Medical School, 512-495-5062 (o), 512-762-8808 (c).